Getty
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a basket against the Houston Rockets during the first half at Toyota Center on March 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
LeBron James finished with 30 points on only one missed shot in the Los Angeles Lakers‘ win over the Houston Rockets, but his status for the team’s next game against the Miami Heat is still in question, as he suffered an elbow injury on Wednesday night.
In the fourth quarter, James went up for a layup and landed on his elbow, as the 41-year-old immediately showed signs of pain.
After the Lakers’ win, James held a postgame interview with Lisa Salters of ESPN, but maintained that he had to get back to the locker room to ice his elbow.
ESPN
“I love you, you’re awesome, so I had to come back and do this interview for you.” @KingJames came back for the interview with @saltersl even though he needs to ice his elbow 😂👑
While the Lakers have yet to release their injury report against the Heat, there is speculation that James could be held out.
LeBron James Elbow Injury
LeBron James elbow injury status vs Heat
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – MARCH 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates after Luka Doncic #77 makes a three pointer during the fourth quarter of the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on March 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
After going down against the Rockets, it was James’ second elbow injury he’s suffered just this month, as he missed time earlier in March after suffering a similar injury against the Denver Nuggets.
“Imma throw some ice on it as soon as I get back to the locker room,” James said. “We got a back-to-back, I’m 41. I need to prepare but I’ll take care of myself and hopefully be ready tomorrow night.”
But now, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, James could be at risk of missing the Lakers’ Thursday night game against Miami, as the quick turnaround and travel from Houston could mean that the team wants to give him a rest.
Heat Central
“I do not expect LeBron James to play tonight in Miami”
– Brian Windhorst on Lakers vs Heat tonight
(Via @FirstTake)
“I do not expectLeBron James to play tonight in Miami,” the insider said on First Take on Thursday.
James didn’t end up missing time in the Rockets game, but until the Lakers release an official injury report, his status for the Miami contest is still up in the air.
Maxi Kleber is the only other player on the Lakers’ injury report.
LeBron James Drops Extremely Efficient Statline Vs Rockets
Though James did suffer the elbow injury, the full extent of which is not yet known, he finished the Lakers’ win with one of the most efficient scoring games of his career, despite being at age 41 and the oldest player in the league.
His official stat line against Houston was 30 points on 13/14 shooting, along with five rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a block in 34 minutes.
“Look at me right now. Right now I feel like (expletive),” James said postgame. “But in the game, I felt pretty good. Before the game I didn’t feel that great. I mean I was yawning and tired and telling myself — I was literally just like talking to myself like ‘Come on, here we go. Let’s figure it out. Let’s get through it.’”
While James did reveal that he wasn’t feeling 100% before the game, which extended the Lakers’ win streak to seven games in a row, that didn’t mean he saw a drop in performance off the court.
After the win, Lakers head coach JJ Redick revealed that James performing at the level he is, at his age, makes the former NBA player feel like a ‘loser.’
“Watching [James], it actually probably makes me feel like a loser,” he said. “Every time falls on the ground, every time he has a box-out, every time he gets hit hard in transition, I feel it too.”
Mr.81
“Watching him makes me feel like a loser.”
— JJ Redick on LeBron James
(h/t @LakersDailyCom)
While he had a very strong game, James’ injury status for Thursday against Miami is still up in the air.
The Lakers have won seven in a row and are currently 44-25 and third in the West standings.